Suction cleaners and converter facilities therefor



March 12, 1957 G, BRACE 2,784,439

SUCTION CLEANERS AND CONVERTER FACILITIES THEREFOR Filed May 15 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Q E? E a l IO G) y v m R as g B f F INVENTOR: GEORGE A. BRACE BY ATT 'Y March 12, 1957 G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANERS AND CONVERTER FACILITIES THEREFOR Filed May 15. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE A. BRACE ATT'Y United States Patent SUCTION CLEANERS AND CONVERTER FACILITIES THEREFOR George A. Brace, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 15, 1951, Serial No. 226,47 8

15 Claims. (Cl. 15-337) This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to novel conversion facilities by which the cleaner may be readily converted from on-the-floor to off-the-fioor cleaning.

The invention features a new and improved converter designed to straddle the driving connections to the usual agitator and to seal off the air flow through the suction nozzle so long as the converter is in place. To this end, the inner end of the converter tube is slotted to straddle the pulley shaft in an area between the pulley and the fan eye. The slot is provided with resilient, self-closing clamps which open on contact with cam means carried by the cleaner to permit the converter to be inserted or withdrawn readily. To strengthen the fiaps against opening due to the pressure differential thereacross, the flaps are arched away from the fan eye. Preferably, the arch is deepest adjacent the motor shaft and gradually decreases to a common plane at the end of the converter.

Opening of the flaps during insertion or withdrawal of the converter is expedited by contact with a suitable cam carried by the motor shaft. This cam also insures that the flaps will open outwardly away from the fan eye.

Still another feature is the hinge connection between the flaps and the converter tool. Thus, the hinge is so designed that the flaps open and close freely and readily. However, movement of the flaps beyond closed position toward the fan eye is strongly resisted.

Yet another feature of the invention is the mounting of the flaps in such a position as to interfere to a minimum extent with the air flow through the converter whilst making the most efficient use of the space between the belt and the fan eye and at the same time guarding against the possibility of the flaps being caught between the belt and pulley during insertion or removal of the converter tool.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification taken in connection with the drawings of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure l is a side View of a suction cleaner partly broken away and showing the converter in place for ofithe-floor operation;

Figure 2. is a top perspective view of the converter tool with one corner cut away to show the hinged connection of the pliant valve to an edge of the slot which receives the cleaner motor shaft;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the converter tool showing the arched contour of the pliant valve when in closed position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified construction taken slightly forwardly of the motor shaft and showing a single valve element; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the converter tool of Figs. 2 and 3 taken slightly forwardly of the motor shaft.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a suction cleaner is shown having a main body supported on front wheels 11 and rear wheels 12. The body 1.0 is

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provided with a downwardly facing suction nozzle 13 communicating with a fan eye 14 through the usual suction passageway 15. The suction fan 16 is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor (not shown) overlying the fan and housed within an appearance hood 17. The motor shaft 18 extends downwardly through the fan eye. A belt pulley 19 is mounted on the lowermost end of the shaft and supports a rubber belt 20 for driving the usual agitator 21 mounted lengthwise of the suction nozzle. An exhaust air passageway 22 extends rearwardly from the fan casing and detachably supports a filter bag 23 of any well known construction. The cleaner propelling handle 24 is pivotally supported on the rear of the main body 10 above exhaust passage 22 and its lower end extends through a slot in the rear of appearance hood 17.

The converter facilities by which the cleaner can be quickly converted to olf-the-floor cleaning will now be described. As herein shown by way of example, body 10 is provided with a converter passage 25 underlying the exhaust air passageway and extending longitudinally of the cleaner body. The forward end of this passageway is connected into the rear end of the suction air passageway but is normally sealed therefrom by a pivoted valve 26 normally urged toward closed position by torsion spring 27 about its supporting hinge. The rear of the converter passage is conveniently located at the rearmost corner of the cleaner body at a point underlying the filter.

As clearly appears from Figures 2 and 3, the removable converter tool 31 comprises a tubular member of rectangular cross section which may be readily inserted through the converter passage 25. The rear end is ll led with a coupling member 32 for connection to the usual flexible hose having a dusting or cleaning nozzle at its outer end. The converter may be detachably locked in place in passage 25 by a spring latch member 33 positioned to engage a locking detent 34 on the lower, outer end of passage 25. A button 35 on the latch may be depressed to disengage the latch when it is desired to with draw the tool.

From Figure 1 it will be noted that the upper run of agitator driving belt 20 is inclined upwardly from 1he pulley. Accordingly, it is desirable to so form the forward end of the converter tool as to make the most efficient use of the space between the belt and the fan eye for air conducting purposes through the converter tool. As will be readily perceived from the drawings. the forward end of the converter is designed to atcomplish this end. The top forward surface of the converter is provided with an opening 36 the peripheral edges of which are arranged to register with the fan eye and to lie flush against the lower wall of the fan chamber so as to confine the air flow to the converter tool.

The bottom wall of the converter is generally parallel to the upper run of the belt and is spaced closely thereabove. This wall is slotted to receive the motor shaft and the rear end 37 of this slot closely embraces the rear side of the shaft when the converter is in place. he walls on the opposite sides of the slot are bent upwardly and toward one another to form flanges 38. 38 the upper sides of which lie just below the plane of the fan eye. lrcl erably, but not necessarily, the juxtaposed vertical walls of flanges 38 diverge from the inner end of the slot toward the forward end for a reason which will become apparent below. Bridging the space between flanges 38 for the purpose of closing the slot are a pair of valve members 39, 39 of flexible or pliant resilient material. Thin walled webs 40, 46 of these members are suitably connected to the under edges of flanges 38 as by angular metal strips 41 and rivets 42. Shoulders 43 on flaps 39, 39 abut the facing edges of flanges 38 when the valve flaps are closed and aid greatly in strengthing the flaps against further pivotal movement toward the fan eye.

As clearly appears from the drawings, the portions of the valves adjacent pulley 19 are somewhat wider than the narrow end of the slot in which they are mounted. As a result, the meeting edges adjacent the motor belt pulley abut one another as the flaps close and cause the flaps to arch downwardly away from the fan eye. The forward or entrance end of the slot diverges as mentioned above sufficiently for the forward ends of the flap mem bers to lie in a common plane and flat against the wall of the fan chamber with their free edges in contact for the purpose of sealing off the air flow from the suction nozzle. Thus, it will be clear from the foregoing and from the clear showing in the drawings that the forward ends of the flaps lie flush against the bottom of the fan cham her with their free edges abutting one another, while the ends of the flaps adjacent the pulley are arched downwardly away from the fan chamber because they are wider than the inner end of the slot to the edges of which the flaps are hinged.

The arched rear end of the valve members performs a multiple function. Of primary importance is the fact that this arch greatly strengthens the flaps against collapse toward the fan eye due to the pressure differential existing across the flaps during the operation of the cleaner. The greater the tendency to collapse, the greater is the strength of the arch. The need for this increased strength is. of course, greatest at the pulley end and least at the forward end where the flaps are supported by the fan chamber wall. Another function of the arch is to facili- (ate the proper opening of the valve as the converter is moved past shaft 18. Thus, the arched, rear end of the valve members engage cam surface 44 formed by groove 45 in shaft 18 during the withdrawal of the converter and cause the flaps to open downwardly. The forward corners of the flaps may be cut away at 46 to engage cam 44 similarly to open the valve downwardly during insertion of the converter.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be noted that the invention may be practiced with a single valve member across the shaft receiving slot of the converter tool. The same reference characters distinguished by a prime will be used to refer to the same or equivalent parts of the two embodiments.

it will be observed that converter tool 31' differs only in the shape of flange members forming the opposite sides of the shaft receiving slot 50 and in the use of a single valve flap to close the slot. Flange 38 to the right of motor shaft 18' is identical with the corresponding flange 38 in Figures 2 and 3. However, the left hand flange S1 differs in that it is inclined to the vertical and in that it flares away from the vertical wall of flange 38' toward the entrance end of the slot.

The slot is normally closed by a single pliant and resilient valve member 52 having an integral hinge formed by web 40 secured as by rivets 53 to the top face of flange 38'. The forward end of the valve is just Wide enough to span the wide open end of the slot and lie flush against the under wall 14' of the fan chamber. Since wall 51 converges toward the closed end of the slot, the rear end of the valve is prevented from closing but instead is held in the inclined position illustrated in Figure 4. The suction created by the fan urges the valve toward the fan eye and into even tighter sealing engagement with wall 51.

It will of course be apparent that cam 44' on the motor shaft engages the rear or forward edges of the valve member to pivot it downwardly away from the fan eye during insertion or removal of the converter tool just as in the case of the first described embodiment.

Operation During normal on-the-floor cleaning, the motor is energized and the cleaner propelled over the floor covering to be cleaned by means of handle 24. Suction produced by the fan 16 draws the carpet upwardly against the nozzle lip where it is agitated and beaten by the rotating agitator 21. Dirt removed from the carpet by the combined ac tion of the agitator and the air stream passes rearwardly through passageway 15 and into the fan chamber from which it is discharged through exhaust passage 22 into the filter bag. During such use it will be understood that valve 26 is in a substantially vertical position closing off all air flow through the converter receiving passageway 25.

Conversion of the cleaner to off-the-fioor operation is accomplished in a matter of seconds and in a very simple manner. Thus, the operator merely grasps the converter tool about coupling 32 with one hand as the rear end of the cleaner is tilted upwardly about the forward edge of the suction nozzle with the other hand. The forward end of the converter tool is then inserted through the receiving passage 25 until latch 33 engages or locks behind detent 34. The foremost end of the converter will then abut the rear edge of the inclined abutment on the underside of the fan chamber as clearly shown in Figure 1. During the insertion of the converter, the forward end will strike valve 26 and pivot it downwardly allowing the converter to by-pass this valve. Shortly thereafter the cut away corners 46 of valve elements 39, 39 will contact cam surface 44 on the motor shaft and cause the flaps to flex downwardly thereby assuring that the opening movement of the valve members is downwardly. This downward movement is further facilitated by the design of the valve hinge 40, 40 as will be readily understood from the foregoing description. As the rear end of the valve members pass forwardly of the shaft, they automatically close under their own resiliency. In so doing. the forward ends lie flush against the wall of the fan chamber. The rear portions of the flap member, being wider than this part of the slot, cannot colse. This is because the mating edges abut one another and cause the flaps to arch downwardly, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. This circumstance together with the abutment of shoulders 43 against the edges of flanges 38 has been found to be exceedingly effective in preventing the valve members from collapsing inwardly in response to the reduced pressure created by the suction fan. In fact any tendency of the valve members to move inwardly increases the resistance to such movement.

The dusting tool hose with its attached cleaning tool. not shown, may now be used to clean upholstery or to perform other off-the-floor cleaning.

Reconversion of the cleaner is accomplished in a similar simple manner. The operator merely depresses button 35 to unlock the converter and then withdraws it from passageway 25. As she does so, the rear ends of the valve members abut cam 44 which deflects the valve members downwardly to bypass the motor shaft. As the forward end of the converter passes beyond valve 26, spring 27 closes the valve against the underside of the fan chamber. The cleaner is now ready for on-thefloor cleaning use.

In describing the construction of the converter tool, it will be recalled that the edges of flanges 38 were described as diverging so as to be further apart at the forward end of the shaft slot than at the closed, rear end thereof. One of the advantages of this design is that the resilient valve members 39 may be formed from extruded stock. Thus, valve members of uniform width throughout their length may be employed as it will be clear that the wider forward end of the converter slot will permit the valve members to lie flat against the fan chamber while the rear narrow end of the slot causes the valve members to form an arch. It will, of course, be readily apparent that the same result can be obtained if the edges of the flange members 38 are parallel to one another. In this event, the width of the valve members is such that the forward ends lie flush against the fan chamber while the rear ends are constrained to arch downwardly.

From the foregoing description of two embodiments of the invention it will be readily understood that various other constructions and arrangements of parts can be employed without departing from the novel principles of the invention. For example, the converter passage can be disclosed in numerous other locations in accordance with customary practice. Furthermore, the motor-fan unit may be located horizontally crosswise of the cleaner body, or, if preferred, longitudinally of the cleaner body. Each of these alternative dispositions lend themselves to various other locations of the converter receiving passageway in each of which my novel converter tool can be employed. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A converter tool for suction cleaners comprising, an elongated tube for insertion into a converter passageway leading to the fan eye of a suction cleaner of the type having a pulley shaft extending through the fan eye, said tube including first and second walls extending in spaced relationship inwardly of said tube from the bottom wall thereof and defining an open end shaft receiving slot therebetween, and a resilient flap sealed to each of the opposite edges of said slot, said flaps extending toward each other so that their mating edges abut one another adjacent the plane of said bottom wall and bridge said slot except for an opening adapted to closely surround said shaft, combined portions of said flaps being wider than said slot whereby said mating edges arch said resilient flaps between said first and second walls when in closed position to form an arched bridge to support said flaps against collapse toward said fan eye.

2. A converter tool as defined in claim 1 including hinged connections between the outer lateral edges of said flaps and the edges of said slot, said hinges being formed by a web integral with said flaps and of reduced thickness.

3. A converter tool for use in converting a suction cleaner from on-the-fioor to otf-the-fioor cleaning comprising a tubular member having an outlet opening at one end adapted to be connected to a dusting tool hose and its forward end coupled to the eye of a suction fan having an agitator driving connection extending therethrough, a slot in the forward end of said tool adapted to permit said tool to be moved transversely of said driving connection and into registry with the fan eye, self-closing pliant valve means extending across and normally closing said slot, means supporting said valve means in a zone intermediate the wall having said slot and the wall opposite thereto, said valve means being constructed and arranged to open freely in a direction toward the exterior of the tool and transverse to said wall having said slot to permit said tool to be inserted across said driving connection, and said valve means including means to resist movement of the same in the opposite direction toward the interior of said tool beyond the closed position thereof whereby the pressure differential across said valve means caused by the operation of the suction fan acts to hold said valve means firmly closed.

4. A converter tool as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve means comprises a pair of pliant strips having their lateral edges hingedly connected to the juxtaposed edges of said slot and their adjacent edges abutting one another to close said slot in the normal position thereof, the major portion of said abutting edges being in a different plane than said hinged edges to form an arched closure for said slot whereby said valve resists movement in one direction past closed position but moves freely in the opposite direction to open said slot.

5. In combination, a suction cleaner having a suction nozzle supporting a rotary agitator therein, a motor driven suction fan having an inlet eye, a driving connection for said agitator extending through said eye, a converter passage extending toward said fan eye, a tubular converter tool adapted to be inserted through said passage and into registry with said fan eye, said tool having slot means adapted to receive said agitator driving connection as said tool is moved transversely thereof toward and away from said fan eye, pliant self-closing valve means for said slot, said pliant valve means being hingedly mounted on the exterior edge of the slot and being wider than said slot to arch thereacross whereby the same is freely movable in one direction away from said fan eye but is too wide to move across said slot in the opposite direction toward said [an eye so that the reduced pressure within said tool during the operation of said cleaner is not effective to open said pliant valve means inwardly toward the axis of said converter tool but is effective to hold the same firmly closed.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 including cam means on said driving connection in the path of said valve adapted to engage the same as the valve moves therepast to open the valve outwardly away from the axis of said converter.

7. The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said tubular converter has a flattened side provided with an opening adapted to register with and lie flush across the fan eye when in place on the cleaner, said slot means being located in the wall of said converter opposite said opening and having slot closing valve means therefor supported in a plane closely adjacent the plane of the opening adapted to register with said fan eye.

8. In combination, a suction cleaner body provided with front and rear wheels, a suction nozzle at the front end of said body provided with a rotary agitator, a vertical axis motor-fan unit on said body having a fan eye opening downwardly into a suction air passageway communicating with said nozzle, a belt pulley on the lower end of said motor-fan unit, a belt extending between said pulley and said agitator to drive the latter, a converter receiving passage communicating with said suction air passageway and opening through the peripheral area of said cleaner body, said passage being adapted to receive one end of a converter tool between said fan eye and said belt, a converter tool having a slotted end to receive said pulley shaft as the converter is moved transversely of said pulley and into registry with said fan eye, valve means of resilient material for closing said slot hingedly connected to said slot for movement toward and away from the axis of said converter tool, and means on said valve means for preventing said valve means from moving across said slot toward said fan eye while allowing the valve means to open freely in a direction away from said fan eye.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 including means on said pulley shaft and in the path of said valve means as said converter is moved past said pulley operable to open said valve means.

10. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said valve means is hingedly supported in said slot in a plane adjacent said fan eye and remote from the wall of said converter adjacent said belt whereby said valve means may open outwardly toward said belt without danger of being caught between the belt and the pulley as the valve means is moved past the pulley.

11. A converter tool for suction cleaners comprising, an elongated tube for insertion into a converter passageway leading to the fan eye of a suction cleaner of the type having a pulley shaft extending outwardly through the fan eye, one end of said tube being slotted to receive said pulley shaft as the tube is inserted into said passageway, upstanding walls on the opposite sides of said slot and extending in a direction toward the interior of said tube, one edge of each of said walls being joined to a wall of said tube and the opposite free edges of said walls terminating adjacent an opening in said converter positioned to register with the fan eye of the cleaner when in position therein, and pliant valve means hingedly connected to at least one of the free edges of said upstanding walls and arranged to open outwardly away from the interior of said tool as the same contacts said pulley shaft during the insertion and withdrawal of said tool in said passage.

12. A converter tool as defined in claim 1] wherein said pliant valve means comprises a single valve member having a width greater than the width of said slot whereby the free edge thereof opposite said hinge connection abuts the adjacent upstanding wall as the valve swings to closed position across said slot and forms an air seal therewith.

13. A converter tool as defined in claim 11 wherein said pliant valve means comprises a pair of valve members having a combined width greater than the width of said slot so that the adjacent free edges of the valve members contact one another as the same close and mutually assist one another in resisting movement thereof inwardly of the tool beyond the closed position of the valve means.

14. A converter tool for use on a suction cleaner of the type having a pulley supporting shaft extending out- Wardly through the fan eye, said tool having a shaft receiving slot opposite an air outlet opening in said converter adapted to register with the eye of a suction fan, valve means for said slot hingedly supported on said tool for movement on an axis substantially parallel to the plane of said slot and outwardly away from said outlet opening to receive said pulley supporting shaft during the placement and withdrawal of said converter, said valve means being wider than said slot and being adapted to be held firmly seated across said slot in closed position by the suction pressure of the suction fan when the same is operating and being free to open when the fan is not operating.

15. The combination defined in claim 5 in which said valve means is wider than said slot at the closed end thereof and substantially equal to the width of said slot at the open driving connection receiving end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,378,587 Sherrer June 19, 1945 2,450,828 Gerber Oct. 5, 1948 2,450,846 White Oct, 5, 1948 2,525,801 Howard Oct. 17, 1950 

